What to cook??

[snowboarder]

We have 5 families worth of friends (with kids...eeek!) coming over to our house on saturday for our annual get together....what to cook for them? I often do big vats of chilli, casseroles etc and baked potatoes, with pasta and sausages for the kids, with a selection of puddings. Any ideas for anything a bit different that will be easy to make on saturday morning?

[SebsC]

Whenever I have lots of people with kids coming over I always make a lasagne. Easy to make, you can prepare it all in advance so you just have to chuck it in the oven and seems popular with most people. I make big green salads to go with it and homemade garlic bread. Just buy baguettes, cut and fill with garlic butter. All easy to prepare beforehand.

[scareyt]

I usually make this when I have lots of people to feed and cook it overnight the night before. It's so good and some kids like it too. There is some faffing involved but you can do it all in advance and then just keep it warm in a low oven till you want it. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/pulled-pork-barbecue-recipe.html

[snowboarder]

Ooh that looks amazing scaryt - I've never tried doing pulled pork....am I brave enough?!?

[Fmm]

I have done a couple of hams with different glazes in the past for this - honey and mustard ham in oven and boiled ham on hob. Or a roast chicken in the oven and pot roast chicken on the hob. With baked mash with cheese on top/ posh sliced potatoes which go in the oven so are no hassle. Also roasted carrots and other root veg that doesn't need anything doing to it other than roasting in baking tray. If you think you will need you can do corns on the cob, salads and garlic breads to go with it. I have also done homemade sausage rolls (eg turkey mince and cranberry to prevent pork overload) to go with this as well if I think I may need extra stuff.

[SLad]

Pudding wise - possets are super easy, especially as you can make them in advance and put them in ramekins to set overnight. http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1099644/lemon-posset

I cheat and buy the biscuits but no one ever seems to mind.

[joanaj87]

agree with the lassagne that is just delicious a combination of cheese pasta and meat with vegetables mmmmmmmm.

besides its convenient for that many people just make 2 or 3 trays so if anybody wants extras they can serve again or take home if there is still some left over. Plus its not difficult but is one of my favourites specially if the person making it knows what they are doing.

[Convex]

i was going to say pulled pork too.

then people can put together their own rolls. yum!

[snowboarder]

Sooo if I did pulled pork and bread rolls and coleslaw etc....what for the veggies who are coming?!? Halloumi?

[Mariamadeit]

Pulled pork is super easy in a slow cooker too! Not sure what vegetarians would go for instead but a good range of salads would make a lovely lunch.

[SE22mum]

I do Mexican beans with tacos and rice, or a huge paella with some separate as just rice and fish/sausages for the kids. always goes down well.

[scareyt]

Yes haloumi and some kind of veggie burgers? Then they can have the rolls and fixings and sides the same as everyone else. I usually do potato wedges and corn on the cob with it and the kids can fill up on those if they don't like the meat. And pickles and lots of hot sauce. Yum. Actually I might make this next weekend now you've got me thinking about it!